Tobacco Free Homes-Tobacco Free Schools-

 Tobacco Free Work Place Campaign starts in Kumarakom Health Block

                                                The exposure to second hand smoke among adults at any public places is 29 % and at home is 52% (GATS2010) in India.In Kerala, it is 19% in public places and 42% in  homes.Household smoking is allowed morethan 56% of  homes in Kerala, which means there are no restrictions for smoking inside the houses.Thegreater part of the smokers smoke inside the homes and letting their wife and children exposed to secondhand smoke.   An estimated 4,0000 deaths per year occur in Kerala due to the use tobacco and passive smoking in Kerala.It is in this context that Department of Health Services of Government  of Kerala has decided to roll out a campaign. Govt. of Kerala has issued guidelines to conduct  campaigns in connection with tobacco free initiatives 2012-2013 in Kottayam District. Three campaigns are decided to be conducted in the district in connection with the control of non communicable diseases. The specific three fold objectives as per the guidelines given by the DHS are; making the houses tobacco free in 20 Grama Panchayath wards in 20 Grama panchayaths, creating Tobacco free zones in campuses and 100 yards radius of 100 schools in the district and creating Tobacco free zones in ten work places having atleast 100 employees  in the district. The campaign aims at the cessation of usage of tobacco in the work place,schools &homes and adoption of a work place policy by the Management and the workers representatives to reduce the risk of passive smoking. We need to undertake advocacy and sensitization programmes so as to empower the work place to adopt  a  work place policy for making it tobacco free. 

              The home campaign was started at Malom,ward viii of Manarcadu Panchayath,work place campaign started at MRF campus,Vadavaathoor and the school campaign which started as the first step is going on satisfactorily

Expert talk by Dr.Varghese Abraham P during sensitization workshop at MRF Vadavaathoor  with Sibi Augustine Health Supervisor,Kumarakom and Beena Varghese,Health Inspector,Parampuzha

SMOKERS DESTINED TO  DIE EARLY KILLS MANY INNOCENT BELOVEDS TOO....................

പള്‍സ് പോളിയോ 2013-ജനുവരി 20   &ഫെബ്രുവരി 24

INTENSIFIED PULSE POLIO IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME -2013

Frequently asked questions (FAQS) :

Q) How the wild Poliovirus is commonly transmitted from one child to another?

A) Wild Poliovirus is commonly transmitted from the infected child to the non vaccinated child. Faecal-oral transmission is most common especially where sanitation is poor.

Q) Is the Polio vaccine safe when given in repeated doses?

A) Yes, the vaccine can be safely given in repeated doses.

Q) Can Polio vaccine be given with other vaccines?

A) Polio vaccine may be given simultaneously with any other childhood immunization and there is no limit to the number of doses, which may be safely given.

Q) Is it possible for me to check the quality of vaccine being given to my child?

A) The potency of vaccine can be gauged by looking at and interpreting the Vaccine Vial Monitor (VVM) that is affixed on all OPV vials. (see VVM). The label of the vaccine vial darkens if the potency of vaccine is not up to mark.

Q) Should a child having high grade fever and loose motions for the last 3 days be given Polio drops on PPI days?

A) Yes, all children below 5 years of age even if sick or hospitalized should be given Polio drops on Pulse Polio days.

Q) Can a newborn child be given Pulse Polio vaccine?

A) Yes, a newborn child can be given Pulse Polio vaccine very safely.

Q) A child has received booster dose of DPT/OPV 2 days before the National Immunization day. Should the child be taken to Polio Kendra for Pulse Polio drops after 2 days?

A) Yes, the child should be taken to the Polio Kendra and given Polio drops. It is safe for the child and is necessary for Polio eradication.

Q) Can routine Immunization with DPT, OPV, and Measles etc. be continued after giving the child Pulse Polio drops?

A) Yes, routine immunization should be continued even after the child has received Pulse Polio drops. Routine Immunization increases the child’s defence against diseases like Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Measles and Poliomyelitis. Both are complimentary to each other but not a substitute to one another.

Q) Is this the last year of Pulse Polio Immunization?

A) May be,but not really finalised. As long as the virus is in transmission, the Pulse Polio rounds cannot be stopped. However,the last polio case reported from India was on 13th January2011. If we all make a dedicated effort and break the chain of transmission, we will become a Polio free world. Then the Pulse Polio rounds will be discontinued. Continuous three years of Polio Free States is needed before we can think of stopping Pulse Polio Immunization Programme. Number of Polio Cases :
Q)Was there any outbreak in any of the Asian countries recently?
In China during 2011
Q)Is there any speciality for PPI 2013?
Vaccin wastage factor-1.27,4A&4B forms changed including the R I planning details,Reporting forms 9B&9A are added with 9B HRA & 9A HRA,seperate tally sheets for migrants should be maintained in bootrh and H T H rounds as well.